The multirole JF-17 Thunder (also known as CAC FC-1 Xiaolong) flying at the Paris Air Show is a joint venture between the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s Catic group, and is being offered as a supersonic replacement fighter for militaries using older, second-generation combat aircraft.

The aircraft offers low acquisition cost, compared with other new fighters. At the same time, the JF-17 provides the low operating costs that come with a new, more efficient aircraft as opposed to the much higher operating and maintenance cost associated with competing second-hand, earlier-generation fighters.

The JF-17 is powered by a Klimov RD-93 afterburning turbofan, delivering 11,105 pounds of thrust or 19,280 pounds with afterburner, allowing for a top speed of Mach 1.6.